The Motor City Mitten Mission is dedicated to helping the homeless, the needy, the sick and those striving for a better way of life while educating, partnering and collaborating with a number of other organizations, schools, churches, clubs and businesses. Meet Gail Marlow, she and her amazing volunteers have found a way to keep the homeless warm and help the environment. Her story is amazing, and what she and her organization are doing have made it easy for ANYONE to get involved. Listen to Gail’s story and you will hear why she is a WCSX “Woman Who Rocks”.

So, while talking to Gail about all the important work they do in the community, she informed me about the “Plarn Farm”. You are probably like, what is that? Wow! I was blown away. How many of us always have an over abundance of plastic bags from grocery shopping? I do, and I found out they have another purpose besides being used in bathroom trash cans. Yup! They can keep people warm.

The mats and pillows project (The Plarn Farm) is a large and specific initiative of “Motor City Mitten Mission” that they focus on when they are not out in the field with the homeless. The mats and pillows are made of recycled plastic bags that are then crocheted into mats with a strap, tie and a pillow.

These mats and pillows are ideal for our harsh Michigan elements as they are remarkably comfortable and offer just enough to create a barrier between the ground and the body to help retain body heat while sleeping. The mats also offer a cleaner way of sleeping as bugs do not like them. If the mat gets wet, they can easily be dried and when it gets dirty, it can easily be hosed off and shaken out. Since they are made of plastic and come with a convenient carrying strap, they are also light and portable. The mats and pillows are made from recycled plastic bags, so bonus, they help the environment. Motor City Mitten Mission is not the original group to conceptualize the mats, they have perfected and streamlined the process and Gail Marlow is the first one to originate, design, and conceptualize the pillow.

Learn how to make Plarn (plastic yarn) to be used to make sleeping mats and pillows for the homeless. This is Gail Marlow, the Executive Director of the Motor City Mitten Mission who will break down the step by step process for you!

Gail wanted me to reiterate that none of the good she does would not be an option without volunteers and she wanted to THANK all the wonderful people who have made the organization successful. THANK YOU!!! You all rock in my opinion!

In the second half of the podcast, I am always joined by Cyndy Schalter-Salsido from Turning Point Macomb. This week we talk money and how to teach your children the value. I am always having conversations with friends who struggle explaining to their kids that money doesn’t grow on trees. My parents used to say that all the time when my siblings and I asked for things they couldn’t afford. While that statement is true, how do you teach them to save, or manage? Cyndy breaks down creative ways to educate while helping them establish good habits for the future.

Given how important financial skills are to navigating life, it's surprising that our schools don't teach children about money. As a parent, however, you can teach your child important financial lessons - and you should. "Look at the mortgage crisis and how many families lost their homes - 3.9 million foreclosures.

Winter weather is upon us and the Lord knows in Michigan with weather being somewhat unpredictable there could be many snow days in your future. While kids enjoy the time away from school, it can be challenging for parents who have to work from home while their kids are also sharing the same space. How do you keep them busy, get your work done, and stay sane? You could plop them in front of the television with a grilled cheese, but boredom sets in and the problems start. Cyndy has suggestions for keeping kids occupied and your sanity in tact.

If you've ever thought working from home with small children beats driving to the office each day, you may be sadly mistaken. My children are definitely the apple of my eye, but they can be a handful anytime I sit down to complete an important task.

The final topic is one that always gets me fired up, drunk driving. Over the holidays here in Michigan more than 200 people were arrested for driving under the influence, and this baffles me. I shouldn’t be surprised, we are human after all, but with all the options available for safe transportation after a night out, this should not be happening. Cyndy and I discuss the numbers from the “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

(WXYZ) - More than 200 people were arrested for drunk driving during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown from Dec. 13-31, 2018. "If you are impaired by any substance you shouldn't drive," said Michael L. Prince, Office of Highway Safety Planning director.

Turning Point is ALWAYS here to help!!!!!!

(Cyndy Schalter-Salsido)

YOU ARE NOT ALONE…
TURNING POINT IS HERE TO HELP

Domestic violence and sexual assault rob an individual of their sense of safety, power, and dignity. Turning Point provides emergency and support services to meet both the immediate and long-term needs of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Turning Point strives to provide a safe non-judgmental place for survivors to explore their feelings and options, and regain control of their lives.
There is a 24 crisis line:
586.463.6990